Archaeological Investigation at Wadi Gawasis (Red Sea - Egypt) of the Italian Institute for Africa and the Orient (Rome) and "L'Orientale" (Naples): December 2002 - January 2003 Field Season

WG 12

The excavation unit WG 12[8] was aimed at investigating one of the eleven structures still visible on the top of the southeastern edge of the coral terrace, close to the sea shore. This structure corresponds to Feature 8 in the list of the structures in this area of the site. On the basis of its surface appearance, the structure was ascribed to the first type we pointed out, i.e. "structures of coral blocks and conglomerate slabs, surrounded by a gravel mound partially covering the coral blocks and conglomerate slabs with possible internal chambers". The excavation clarified the construction technique and revealed important remarks on the possible ideological meaning of this monument.

The visible remains of this monument on the surface consisted of an oval mound of gravel, with a major axis about 6-7 m long, and some vertical and horizontal conglomerate slabs, which apparently delimited a small chamber at the eastern side of the structure (eastern chamber) and a second, more internal small chamber (western chamber).

The following stratigraphic units were distinguished during the excavation:

SU 1: Loose soft sand covering the structure, with very few artifacts and some fossilized shells, probably from the coral bedrock, ca. 5-10 cm thick.

SU 2: Natural terrace, on which the structure was erected and partially cut.

SU 3: Fill of a pit excavated in SU 2, inside both chambers, consisting of gravel mixed with Pteroceras shells

SU 4: Gravel mound covering the structure, consisting of black natural pebbles mixed with some lithic artifacts (flakes) and Pteroceras shells.

SU 5: Pit in SU 2, filled with gravel (SU 3).

The excavations demonstrated that the structure originally consisted of two small chambers delimited with vertical conglomerate slabs. The eastern one was open and faced to the east. The vertical slab, closing the chamber to the west was cut to fit with the side slabs. The western chamber was intentionally filled with gravel. Big fragments of anchors and limestone slab were found in a pit excavated in the floor of this chamber. These finds included fragments of the top of a limestone anchor (37.5 x 26 x 15 cm) with a groove for the rope on one side, a fragment of a possible mortar in porous stone, and a limestone well dressed slab (55 x 55 x 10 cm). Most likely, the gravel and artifacts found in the pit were a ritual foundation deposit, as all these materials were used to build the structure, as it is usual in foundation deposits.[9]

The slabs of chambers were reinforced with coral blocks, which formed a circular arrangement covered with the gravel of the mound. Coral block were also used to sustain the mound at the base. These conglomerate slabs, coral blocks and gravel were collected on the natural coral terrace along the bay and the wadi.

Small fragments of coral, limestone, conglomerate (with an average size of 25-10 x 15-6 cm), some big Pteroceras shells and a few basalt pebbles were mixed with the gravel. Most likely, the basalt pebbles were transported by the wadi, as they originate from the Complex Basement several kilometers inland. Concentrations of potsherds and fragments of limestone were found on the terrace where the structure was built. Their location close to the corners the chambers suggests that they were intentionally placed during the construction of the chambers and before the mound was erected.

The results of this excavation suggested the following procedure of erecting the monument: 1) A foundation pit was excavated on the top of terrace, and fragments of limestone, coral, and conglomerate were used to sustain the vertical slabs of the chambers. 2) Rough walls of coral blocks were built, and fragments of limestone and ceramics were placed on the top of the terrace near the corners the coral walls and/or the conglomerate slabs. 3) Gravel was used to fill the foundation pit and the western chamber. 4) Horizontal conglomerate slabs were used to pave the eastern chamber. 5) Gravel was accumulated to form the mound around the chambers.

Most likely, this structure a shrine or a small chapel. This interpretation may be supported by occurrence of a possible foundation deposit, and limestone and pottery concentrations, as well as the small stele, which A. M. Sayed found associated with other similar structures on this terrace.[10]

On the whole, the structure at WG 12 may be compared to the New Kingdom shrine at the village of miners at Jebel Zeit,[11] although some differences between these monuments can be remarked. At Jebel Zeit, the circular outside wall formed an enclosure around the chamber, while at Mersa Gawasis the space between the outside part of the structure and the slabs of the chamber was completely filled with gravel, which was intentionally accumulated. At Mersa Gawasis the small chamber was located at the eastern end of the structure, at Jebel Zeit it was located in the western part of the enclosure. At Mersa Gawasis the occurrence of anchors and big Pteroceras shells, as well as the orientation of the structure to the sea suggest a strong association of the monument with the coastal and marine environment.

The structure at WG 12 can be also compared to some sacral buildings, such as the Old Kingdom temple in Medamud, where a narrow corridor leads to a small chamber covered with a mound.[12] Moreover, a symbolic meaning of the mound can be recognized in the temple of Mentuhotep II at Deri al Bahari, which was topped by a mound or tumulus, and in the Osireion of Sethos I at Abydos.[13]

In conclusion, although the shrine of Mersa Gawasis shows some similarities to some Egyptian temples, we have no evidence of the deity to whom the shrine was dedicated. So far, the big Pteroceras shell, which ahve been found associated with this structure, are the only possible religious symbol, as Pteroceras shells are represented on the archaic (?) statues of Min from Coptos.[14]